June 14, 2011

It's late afternoon and I haven't posted today because I've been looking for the "right" words, but I'm not sure there are any for this tragedy. Shirley is a woman who works with Mr. B. and reads my blogs every day. Mr. B adores her and tells me all the time that Shirley is the finest person he has ever worked with because of her integrity, ethics and attitude. 


Sadly, Shirley lost her second adult son last night, this one to a massive heart attack. As my friends know, during the past 10 years I've buried my original family – my mother, older brother and father. As sad as this is, I can't imagine losing a child, let alone two. Shirley: May God lighten your sorrow and help you find peace.


Today I'm creating an internal newsletter (it's Tuesday), revising a newsletter article, and then ... wait for it ... eating Chinese food while Mr. B attends an afterwork meeting. YUM!

June 13, 2011

My thoughts are all over the place today, so try to keep up.

On television this morning, Betty White was interviewed on Good Morning America and Sir Paul McCartney was interviewed on Access Hollywood. At 89, she's the busiest woman in show business. He'll be 69 on Saturday and is still performing/selling out stadiums. Why is it that some people have so much energy and others slow down so much earlier?

Next question: Why am I addicted to shoes? I spent hours on the computer yesterday looking at shoes. I need another pair of shoes like I need a hole in the head, but that doesn't stop me from spending a lazy Sunday afternoon ogling at them.

Final question: Why do people from Houston dislike Dallas and vice versa? While reading FB this morning it was amazing to me how many people from Houston were disappointed that the Dallas "whoevers" won the basketball "whatever" last night. I don't think Houstonians should dislike Dallasites just because our I-45 rivals have big hair and live in a hick town.

Today I'm creating a report to present at my Women of Wine board meeting this afternoon. How civilized that they meet at 3:45 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. or later.

June 12, 2011

Let the festivities begin! Last night was the official kickoff of my 2011 birthday season. Mr. B and I went to see Woody Allen's new movie, Midnight in Paris, with Keith and Kelly. I guess Woody Allen decided he's too old to play the leads in his movies, so he cast Owen Wilson as the stammering protagonist. Owen even wore the traditional khaki pants, wool blazer and semi-crumpled cotton shirt that Woody has traditionally worn in his movies. I haven't read the reviews, but enjoyed the premise of Midnight in Paris.

After the movie we had dinner at El Real. Damn that Bryan Caswell who once again eluded me. To have my photo snapped with one of my gourmet heros would have been the perfect ending to my first birthday celebration of the year. There maybe another photo opp on Friday, when Mr. B takes the family to Reef for dinner. P.S. I'm not really stalking Bryan Caswell with my pink iPhone.

Today I'm creating online retail therapy. I don't need therapy because I'm depressed, but because a girl needs new frocks for all her birthday celebrations.

June 11, 2011

Beautiful quilt made by
Wendy Hook.

Mr. B and I went to an art opening at Darke Gallery last night. Three artists were showing, including fabric artist Wendy Hook. She makes beautiful "quilts." I use "quilt" loosely because I can't imagine anyone putting one of her pieces on a bed, but quilt sounds more descriptive than fabric wall hanging? The quilts are colorful and intricate. Lots of fabric pieced together and then quilted. As someone who sews, I admire the work! Also showing at Darke Gallery is Wendy Wagner. Mr. B and I have followed her career for sometime. She's very versatile: painting, ceramics and animation. Fun, whimsical characters. Most of her work makes me smile.

After the gallery, we had dinner at The Glass Wall. I normally order a delicious salad and add a chicken breast, but last night I went straight for the chicken fried steak with lots of cream gravy, and a side of mac and cheese. What was I thinking? When we got home I put on my stretchy pants, and turned on the television. That was around 10 p.m. Since 5 a.m., when I woke up on the couch with such a heavy stomach, I've been watching Hot in Cleveland. I've never seen it before, can't really recommend it, but in the past five hours or so I've watched every episode. Good cast and famous guest stars, but not my favorite sitcom.

Today I'm creating a new necklace and bracelet. Yesterday when I was hemming the pants I wore last night, I ran across some beads that I probably bought in Santa Fe last summer. When I saw them, I knew immediately what I want to do with them.

June 10, 2011

This morning I went with Mitzie to a wine sale sponsored by the Houston Rodeo wine committee. I didn't know until a few months ago that there was a wine committee for the rodeo. Come to find out, there's a competition for wine at the rodeo just as there are for livestock, chickens, children's art and so on. The wine committee had a sale of bottles that were not sold at the rodeo this year. Mitzie and I got some really good buys, at half of what the prices would be at Specs.

On the way back from Mitzie's house it started raining. I was so excited because I thought it would also be raining at my house. How silly of me to think it would rain in Westbury and the Heights at the same time. As I was carrying my case of wine into the house, I noticed the sad bucket of umbrellas we keep on the front porch. It's been so long since the umbrellas have been out of the bucket that I think I should dust tthem.

Today I'm creating shortened pants. Mr. B and I are going on a date tonight and if I'm going to wear the pants I want to wear, they'll have to be hemmed first. Have a great Friday evening!

June 9, 2011

Key bowl next to the front door.

My favorite part of Thursday's Houston Chronicle is missing today. There's a special classified section on Thursdays that includes listings of upcoming estate sales. I always like to read the details about the estate sales because I can sometimes find items that interest me: fabrics, trims, buttons, beads, old baskets. Maybe a higher power is telling me that I don't really need anymore stuff, but instead need to organize and clean up my many existing projects and treasures.

For example, take a look at the key bowl that sits by the front door. Remember that only Mr. B and I live in this house. So why do we have so many keys and what do they open or turn on? I think there are keys in the bowl to my deceased parents' house, to Evan's demolished cars, to offices I haven't occupied in years, and to houses Mr. B sold long ago. Maybe the key to me getting organized is to start with the key bowl. Did I mention that the key bowl is an expensive, collectible piece of art pottery (circa 1915)? I think I bought it at an estate sale.

Today I'm creating a distressing technique for the message bag I'm sewing. The bag will be new, but have the "this-old-thing" worn look.

June 8, 2011

I don't understand the programming of shows on USA. Instead of having the traditional school-year season where a series runs from September to May and takes the summers off, USA produces a smaller number of shows for a season. I never know when my favorites are returning because they're staggered. Such is the case with White Collar, which returned last night. I enjoy White Collar mostly because of the contrast between stars Matt Bomer (playing a smooth criminal without smugness) and Tim DeKay (playing an FBI agent who’s neither a hard-boiled jerk nor clumsy comic relief). Fun characters and writing! Also looking forward to the return of Burn Notice ... I think it's later this month.

This morning I watched Meredith Vieira's last day on Today. Matt Lauer made the kindness statement about Meredith, which was that for someone with such a big talent, she has such a small ego. So refreshing and such a contrast to Oprah and the last days ... er, make that year ... of her send-off. Over-the-top meets humble pie.

Today is creating a yummy desert in celebration of Best Friend Day. Didn't know there was such a day, but plan to celebrate by making my best friend some brownies. Hope Mr. B enjoys them!